Psd1 Effects on Candida albicans Planktonic Cells and Biofilms

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

alves, Só¹  nia¹  rio R.¹  Gonç¹  Silva, Patrí²  Felí²  cia M.³  cio, Má³ 

[1]Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

[2]Instituto de Biofí

[3]sica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

关键词: antimicrobial peptides;    Atomic Force Microscopy;    C;    ida albicans;    Biofilm;    confocal microscopy;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fcimb.2017.00249

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Candida albicans is an important human pathogen, causing opportunistic infections. The adhesion of planktonic cells to a substrate is the first step for biofilm development. The antimicrobial peptide (AMP) Psd1 is a defensin isolated from Pisum sativum seeds. We tested the effects of this AMP on C. albicans biofilms and planktonic cells, comparing its activity with amphotericin B and fluconazole. Three C. albicans variants were studied, one of them a mutant deficient in glucosylceramide synthase, conferring resistance to Psd1 antifungal action. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to assess morphological and biomechanical changes on fungal cells. Surface alterations, with membrane disruption and leakage of cellular contents, were observed. Cytometry assays and confocal microscopy imaging showed that Psd1 causes cell death, in a time and concentration-dependent manner. These results demonstrate Psd1 pleiotropic action against a relevant fungal human pathogen, suggesting its use as natural antimycotic agent.

【 授权许可】

CC BY